PETALING JAYA: Inclusive campuses are not an option but a necessity, say students with disabilities and student unions.
A student from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) who uses a wheelchair recalled missing his freshman orientation due to inaccessible campus pathways in 2013.
“There were no proper ramps over grated drains, which made it unsafe for Persons with Disabilities (OKU),” said Muhammad Iqbal Abu Latiffi, 31, from Negri Sembilan.
“I raised such concerns with the management, and they did fix it for me. My classes were relocated to the ground floor so that I wouldn’t have lift issues.
Despite the current facility improvements, Iqbal, pursuing his postgraduate studies at UKM, asserts the need for increased accessibility in areas beyond the campus.
Fellow UKM student Lailatul Zayyani Awaludin, who has a hearing impairment, said she finds it difficult to understand what is being said if speakers are not clear or when many people speak at once.
The 21-year-old from Pahang said her lecturers allow her to sit in front, and classmates are usually willing to repeat or clarify things when needed.
“There should be better audiovisual support in lecture halls, such as clearer microphones, captions or transcripts to help students like me,” she said.
Wheelchair user Nur Aswani Mohd Azhar, 34, said she faced issues because her campus did not have enough ramps, while some toilets were not properly equipped for wheelchair users.
“I hope my campus can instalclearer signage and navigation pathways for students with disabilities,” said the postgraduate student from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
Aswani, from Selangor, said her university has held training sessions for staff and students to understand the needs of OKU students.
Khoo Song Yin, 22, a visually impaired UKM student, said special orientation programmes are needed for OKU students to help them navigate around campus.
“More accessible infrastructure would also be helpful.
“When I was a new student, the university’s transport service was helpful, but it was challenging due to inconsistent drivers and unfamiliar drop-off points,” said Khoo, who is from Selangor.
She said she receives support from UKM but suggested that there should be more Braille markings for campus facilities and more inclusive activities organised by student societies.
IIUM’s student union president Ali Karimi Mohd Nasri, 26, said some university events are held in venues that students with disabilities cannot easily access.
“The lack of proper infrastructure can take a mental toll on students with disabilities, making it harder for them to cope in non-inclusive environments.
“They could feel discouraged and disconnected from society, which lowers their self-esteem,” said Ali.
Universiti Malaya student union vice-president Nicklaus Lequesne, 23, said some facilities were not easily accessible for the OKU.
“Many popular student discussions or hangout spots, for example, are located on higher ground.
“In addition, some of the toilets designated OKU are poorly maintained or not adequately equipped,” he said.
Nicklaus said the university had assured students that improvements had been planned.
